Historic Flemington’s Renaissance: Preserving Authentic Downtown Assets and Surrounding them with Exquisitely Modern Opportunities and Amenities
Written by DNJ Staff
Nestled in the heart of Hunterdon County, the Historic Borough of Flemington, New Jersey, is experiencing a Main Street transformation in a 1.4 square mile borough where 65% of the buildings are on the national historic register. Flemington is alchemizing its rich history with an infusion of modern accommodations and amenities to welcome residents, visitors and hotel guests for a new Main Street experience. As the county seat, Flemington has long been the go-to for enjoying local and regional culture, partaking in commerce, and learning about its important role in local and national history.
“Flemington Borough cherishes its deeply rooted rural beauty, tradition of innovation and community celebrations. We’re proud of our heritage and excited to welcome a new and vital Main Street full of opportunities and activity to our mix.”said Robin Lapidus, Executive Director of the Flemington Improvement District (FID). “Polishing the trophy of the Union Hotel and the Historic Courthouse during the same period of time created an essential economic bridge to a knowable and sustainable future for our Main Street. Both projects have been undertaken with great care and attention to detail and it is inspiring to affirm that these great Main Street gems have been fortified to remain the cornerstone of Flemington’s heritage and revitalized growth for years to come.
The Courthouse Square project will bring the 15-room formerly shuttered historic Union Hotel, a landmark since 1814, back to life as a 100-room boutique hotel complete with three David Burke signature restaurants, a large courtyard promenade with views of the Historic Courthouse and Main Street, luxury residential units and parking. The preservation effort and investment of Cust Investments paved the way to preserve the hotel facade and the creation of a stunning boutique hotel, in addition to 200+ highly-amenitized new residential units adjacent to Main Street, and new places to meet friends, relax and enjoy stellar food and drinks. Main Street business owners have longed for the hotel to return to help anchor the small local businesses and attract new audiences and residents who will cherish this dynamic place.
In addition to the hotel, Main Street is also eagerly awaiting a new restaurant in the soon to be repurposed iconic vintage gas station at 144 Main Street. Like many historic NJ towns, the former gas station was a complicated brownfield, desperately needing a new purpose. The location will become an equally iconic site for “Milles Bruncheonette” opening this spring. The gas station became known as the “Filling Station” in recent years when the FID turned it into an annual outdoor Summer Beer Garden. The owners of Millie’s Bruncheonette, Katie Attinelo and Chef Skylar Byrd (formerly of the Blue Moose) are very keen on bringing scratch-made classic breakfast and lunch dishes with a hint of their family’s Pennsylvania Dutch and German Heritage to Main Street.
Flemington boasts of not one, but three distinct business districts with something for everyone: The Historic Main Street District, The Stangl Arts and Cultural District and The Circle Shopping District. Each business district has its own unique flavor and farm-to-feastival events from the Annual Corn, Tomato and Beer Festival, Central Jersey Jazz Festival, and Holiday Parades. The historic Stangl Pottery Factory in the Arts and Cultural District is an example of the enormous value of repurposing an iconic building. The Factory building now hosts a variety of events, from a year-round Farmers Market every Saturday, to live music performances, small events inside the former kilns including Tarot Readings, Magic Shows and visits with Santa! The Factory is the location for a unique collection of businesses including Bluesfish Grill, Alkemy Coffee Co, the Kev Von Holt Gallery, Wildflower Yoga Studio, The Knowing, Flemington Pottery Studio and the offices of the FID. The preservation of Flemington’s iconic craft manufacturing factory created a new dynamic space for local entrepreneurs, artists and the community to start new traditions.
Adding to the active streetscape of the Arts and Cultural District is an innovative open container ordinance along Stangl Road This initiative allows adults to responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages along Stangl on the weekend and at 3rd Thursday Night Sip & Strolls creating a welcoming and festive environment and social interaction that supports small local businesses. As Lapidus explains, “Our sip and strolls have brought the community and our businesses together in new ways. The focus is on creative ways to hang out in a community knowing that you will see familiar friendly faces, whether it is enjoying a beer, ice cream or pizza, and live music and games. We challenge our businesses and arts groups to come up with creative ways to celebrate a season or a theme once a month and it has boosted our small business economy and our spirits.
Lapidus brings a wealth of experience and a spirit of innovation to her role at the FID. With a background in tourism, arts, culture, and economic development, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives to celebrate Flemington’s unique sense of place and ensuring business attraction and retention and growth. Under her leadership, the FID has launched numerous events and programs that have energized the downtown business areas and strengthened the sense of community during challenging times and marked change.
Reflecting on the journey, Lapidus shares, “Understanding the unique skills we bring to bear as a business community and a neighborhood have fostered great collaborations and resulted in improvements to all three of our business areas. We have strengthened our community and learned to pivot to create a vibrant shared future for Flemington.”
As Downtown Flemington continues to reach its potential, it stands as a testament to the importance of preserving the past, repurposing places, and creating bridges to a bright future. The treasure that Downtown Flemington has held for so many generations in the past is thriving and accessible to be molded by generations to come.
For More Info:
www.loveflemington.com
www.courthousesquareflemington.com/
www.milliesbrunch.com/
